Page 1 of Kiss Me Kate

Chapter 1

Silas

“This is wrong.” Calvin stands rigidly behind the line, his arms tightly folded across his chest. He stares at me with a suspicious expression, making it clear that he disapproves. We've been friends since fourth grade when he was held back a year in school. Because he's older than me, he tends to believe he's always right. But in this instance, I choose to ignore his opinion

“There is nothing wrong with this tuxedo. It’s the best one we have,” Mr. Paulson quickly responds to Calvin's comment, clearly insulted by something that has nothing to do with the quality of my tuxedo.

"I'm speaking to Silas, Mr. Paulson. The tux is fine," Calvin interjects, but his anger turns awkward as Mr. Paulson shoots him a stern look to quiet down in front of the other customers.

“Well then, everything looks good, Silas. You’ve also got your shirt, tie, vest and shoes in the bag. And don’t forget to stop by Betty’s Flower Shop for Katie’s corsage. She told me she has something special planned with ribbons to match her dress.” Mr.Paulson hands me the rented tuxedo, neatly packaged in plastic, and slips the receipt into my hand.

It's my first time renting a tux, and the cost seems excessive for something I won't even get to keep. But it's worth it to make a good impression on Kate. Although we've been friends for years, tonight is our first official grown-up date and could be the start of everything.

With a kick in my step, I confidently stride onto the sidewalk and hightail it across the intersection. Traffic is thin for a Saturday morning, but then again, that’s a matter of perspective. Things are never busy in Hilltop, Texas, population 1,200. Everyone knows everybody and most people find it impossible to stay out of your business. That’s especially true of the lunatic ranting behind me, still furious I’m escorting his baby sister to her senior prom.

“I blame myself,” Calvin shouts, trying hard to keep up with me while nursing a serious hangover from last night. I'm not sure if he even went home to change. He stumbled into my parents' house during breakfast and ended up puking in the downstairs bathroom. The smell of bacon seemed to set him off.

“That's rich. You never take responsibility for anything," I yell back, eager to cut him off and get on with my day. He's had this date marked on his calendar for weeks. I have no idea what happened last night that turned him into an overprotective brother, but it’s really beginning to chap my ass.

“I’ve entertained your infatuation with my little sister long enough. A man’s sister is sacred and you’re about to violate the oath we took as friends. Do you really want to throw that all away?” Calvin sputters into nonsense as he wipes off the cold sweat gathering on his forehead. He rarely makes sense, but today he’s genuinely on a roll.

“Oath? I never took an oath.” I correct him, still trying to process whatever point he’s trying to make. “You have been farmore trouble than you’re worth.” I sneer and make my way to the back of the long line outside Betty’s Flower Shop. “Three years ago, you ended my football career when you broke my arm with your bullshit pranks. Last year you nearly got me arrested. Two months ago, you flooded my parents’ basement after deciding you didn’t need to finish your apprenticeship to be a qualified plumber. You better believe your sister is more valuable than our friendship.”

"A football career? Don't make me laugh. You were never going to make it to the NFL." Calvin's tone is dripping with arrogance, as if he can't even be bothered to acknowledge the pain he caused. If this town wasn't so small, I might have a chance of finding better friends.

"You ruined my scholarship, you jerk. Then I went ahead and made things worse by spending the last year working with the rodeo. I won’t risk another concussion or broken limb. Now my only option is to work on my grandpa's struggling ranch and turn it into something profitable. But of course, that's a foreign concept to you, since you'll just inherit your dad's plumbing business someday. Unless he decides to hire your golden boy cousin Walter instead." I take a jab at his ego, knowing how much everyone loves pretty boy Walter.

"Don't bring up Walter," Calvin says dismissively, rolling his eyes. "My dad just wants to get under my skin. Mark my words, one day, Walt will be working for me." Despite his unwarranted confidence, Calvin makes this statement with absolute certainty.

"Silas, dear, I have your order ready!" Betty's cheerful voice snaps me back to reality. She sees me the moment I walk through her door and beckons me over to the front of the shop. The people waiting in line behind me grumble and shuffle impatiently, but Betty quickly silences them. "Hush now! Can't you see Silas is finally taking Katie Benson on a date? It's about time!"

My face flushes with embarrassment as everyone turns to look at me. A few kind souls whisper congratulations, but Calvin remains silent. He mopes behind me as I pay for my order and inspect the delicate pink corsage in my hand. It's even more beautiful than I imagined, but I've never had an eye for these things.

“Drop me off at my parents’ place. I need to shower and sleep.” Calvin follows me to my car, his hands tucked tightly in his pockets as he climbs into the front seat. He doesn’t bother waiting for my response, and assumes I'll agree.

As I start the car and pull onto Main Street, I can’t help but ask, “Where did you park your car?” I had been expecting to see it somewhere along the street, but it's nowhere in sight.

Calvin simply shrugs and leans back in his seat, seemingly dozing off. “I honestly don't remember where I parked it last night. But there are only a few possibilities, so my dad can drive me around later to find it.” It's amazing how someone so irresponsible has made it to twenty-two years old.

“Okay, but we can’t make any stops or detours,” I say, glancing in the rearview mirror before changing lanes. “Tonight means a lot to me and Kate. I don’t understand why you're trying to ruin it. You know how much she means to me.”

Calvin remains silent for most of the drive, gazing out the window as he carefully considers his next words. He has every right to be worried about his little sister, but he also knows me well enough to trust my intentions. That doesn’t mean there won’t be tons of passion and gratuitous sex in our future, but that’s to be expected. As soon as I can afford it and as early as she’ll have me, I’m marrying that girl.

“Listen, I know we’re friends and you care about my sister,” Calvin says, his eyes fixed on the passing scenery. “But let’s be real here, man. You’re not good enough for her.You know you’re not.Kate’s going places. She’s set to be valedictorian with a fullscholarship to UT. She’s been dreaming of that since forever, and you’re going to mess it up for her. This isn’t about me trying to keep you away from my sister. It’s about you sabotaging her future.”

As much as his words hurt, I have to defend myself. “I would never do anything to ruin Kate’s future. She’s the smartest person I know, and I’d never stand in the way of her dreams. It’ll be tough with me living here and her moving away, but she’s the girl for me. I’ll wait for her, and we’ll make things work.” The thought of my girlfriend living three hours away fills me with anxiety, but we still have the whole summer ahead of us to strengthen our relationship before she leaves for college.

Calvin shakes his head and his expression twists into an angry scowl. “My sister is crazy about you, and you’ve encouraged her infatuation. Yesterday, I found brochures and an application to Tyler Community College. It blew my fucking mind. She’s honestly considering giving up her full ride to attend a crappy little school an hour away just to stay in Hilltop with you.”

“What were you doing in her room?” I’m genuinely stunned by this new information, but my mind immediately goes to his invasion of privacy.

“I was looking for money! That’s what sisters are for, dumbass. They’re way better at saving money and she knows I’m good for it. Besides, you’re missing the point. I know I’ve been a crappy brother, but the very least I can do is prevent you from fucking things up for her. You can’t do that, Silas. You need to persuade her to go to Austin and get out of this Podunk town or it will be a horrible waste.”

As much as I want to punch the life out of him, I know he means well. For the first time ever, he’s thinking about someone other than himself.

“She’s not attending community college. I would never let that happen,” I respond with a tinge of sadness, knowing I cannot let her attend a local college. It's up to me to push her away, but I wonder if I have the strength for it.

I park my car in front of the Benson house and lean forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kate through a window. But the curtains are all drawn. It's prom night, and earlier today she mentioned getting her nails and hair done. We've been talking about this dance all week, and she said she wanted to look perfect for it. Honestly, Kate always looks gorgeous without even trying. I can only imagine how breathtaking she'll be tonight.

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